Shariful eyes second Australia Test as Bangladesh monitor injured pacers

Bangladesh fast bowler Shariful Islam is expected to return for the second Test against Australia, provided he passes a fitness test on Aug 12.

Shariful has been recovering from a Grade 1 left hamstring injury sustained during the Zimbabwe tour and has resumed bowling on alternate days.

Speedster Nahid Rana has been ruled out of the Australia tour after suffering a Grade 2 side strain. He has consulted former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond in Australia and will begin rehabilitation after a week of rest.

Another pacer, Tanzim Hasan Shakib, remains sidelined with a long-term injury. After consulting a specialist in New Zealand, he has been advised to rest for four weeks and is expected to return to action in December if his recovery progresses as planned.

SKS